Tithing By Bruce W. Robida Part 4 of 5 The Law of Christ Updated 11-17-09

 

As Christians, we are to follow the teachings of Christ, and the apostles. We are no longer required to live under the law of Moses. There are far too many Scriptures to reference here in this writing, to list every verse concerning giving.  If you want to see an example of how the first Church operated in terms of giving, read Acts 2:42-47.  There is no mention of tithing there, but they made sure that no one was without anything that they needed.  I was able to list everything I could find on tithing because compared to what Christ taught about giving, there is very little.  I would not want to be misunderstood and thought of as someone who is opposed to giving.  On the contrary, when I give according to the Word of God under the New Covenant, I am absolutely ecstatic about it.  Something inside of me resented giving tithes to a certain Church when all around me I saw extravagance in the buildings, the programs, and even in the lives of the staff.  I could see that while the body of believers were willing to give so much for the sake of lavishness, outside there were people living from one day to the next in poverty and despair. Even some of the Church members had needs that were not being met.  My conscience would not allow me to continue to perpetuate this great shame. At least as far as I was concerned, I would oppose those who were hoarding the wealth of the Church, and quit giving anything to them. That is not to say that I would not be willing to give to a particular Church, but I will be careful from now on, considering what the staff is going to do with it before I give anything to them.  I was determined to find out once and for all, what God really says about tithing.  What is the correct way to give?  Here in the following pages, are just some of what Christ and the apostles taught about giving.  Nowhere, in the New Testament, are we instructed to tithe. But we do have specific instructions about giving.

Christ Himself teaches us how to give

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. MT 5:42 (See also Luke 6:30)

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. MT 6:2-4

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. MT 7:6

We should support those who preach the message of Christ

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: `The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.  
MT 10:5-10  (See also Luke 10:7)

"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.  Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." MT 10:40-42 (See also Mark 9:41)

Can our giving save us? 

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? MT 16:24-26 (See also Mark 8:37)

Do you want to be perfect?

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 
MT 19:21 (See also Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22)

Jesus wasn’t commanding us to sell our possessions, He merely stated that if we wanted to be perfect, we would sell our possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him.

Is this really a reference to tithing?

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." MT 22:15-21 (See also
Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25)

Some people will argue that this is a reference to tithing.  This is really a reference to paying taxes.  Jesus looked at the portrait on the coin and determined that it belonged to Caesar.  What He was saying is, that if it belongs to Caesar, give it to Caesar, but if it belongs to God, you had better give it to God.

Taking care of those in need

"Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' MT 25:34-40

"Then he will say to those on his left, `Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' "He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." MT 25:41-46

I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. MK 9:41

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." LK 6:38

Do you want to be blessed?  Follow these principles and you will be blessed.

Justice and the love of God

When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. LK 11:37-42

Again, this was a rebuke to the Pharisee’s by Christ because they did not practice what they were preaching.  These instructions were for the Pharisee’s because they were still subject to the law because Christ had not died yet. They were still under the Old Covenant.

Secure treasures in heaven

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. LK 12:32-34

We are responsible for the resources and talents that God has given us

The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, `My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. LK 12:42-48

Show no favoritism

Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." LK 14:12-14

Consider the cost

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? if he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear. “ LK 14:28-35

Zacchaeus sets his own amount to give to the poor and to pay back what he has taken by cheating

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." LK 19:8-10

The apostles must have been accustomed to giving to the poor

Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. JN 13:29

Jesus gives a new command

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." JN 13:34-35

The apostles teach us how to give

The apostle Paul explains how he worked hard with his own hands, to help the weak.

"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " AC 20:32-35

Give according to the measure that God has given you

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. RO 12:3-8

Even take care of your enemies if they are in need

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him;    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. RO 12:17-21

Give all that you owe

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. RO 13:6-7

Give out of your heart

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1CO 13:3

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 CO 9:7

Give generously

And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2CO 8:1-7

Giving is not compulsory

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2CO 8:8-9

Give according to what you have

And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 2CO 8:10-12

Don’t let your giving become a burden

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." 2CO 8:13-15

An offering; a liberal gift, but not a tithe

I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. 2CO 8:16-21

In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. 2CO 8:22-24

Do not give grudgingly; the heart of true Christian giving

There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to say anything about you--would be ashamed of having been so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 
2CO 9:1-15

More Instructions about giving

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. GAL 6:1-10

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,  and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. 1TI 5:3-10

Love your brother

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1JN 4:19-21

I believe Church leaders today have unwittingly placed burdens on it’s members by requiring tithes and offerings for things that have little to do with giving as Christ and the apostles taught.  Most people don’t give another thought about giving after they’ve tithed to a particular Church.  They somehow feel like they’ve done their duty because that is what they have been taught.  But that’s not what God’s Word teaches us.  We are to be ever mindful of those in need, and we should always be prepared to help when it is necessary.  Instead of supporting elaborate furnishings, and outrageous salaries, Christians should be looking around and taking care of their families and neighbors.  Look at what the apostle Paul said about receiving support.  He called himself a robber.  He did not want to be a burden to anyone.  Besides preaching the Gospel, he worked so that he wouldn’t be a burden.  He did this to be an example.

Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 2CO 11:7-12

I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. The things that mark an apostle--signs, wonders and miracles--were done among you with great perseverance. How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you? I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course? 2CO 12:11-18

You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 1TH 2:1-9

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 2TH 3:6-10

The requirements that the apostles placed on the believers in Antioch do not include tithing

Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers. With them they sent the following letter:

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:

Greetings.

We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul-- men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. AC 15:22-29

Now I realize that I did not include every Scripture concerning giving.  There are many, many more.  But in all of these that I have given, which of them sounded like tithing?  There are no instructions to Christians for tithing.  Literally, tithing means to give a tenth.  Under the New Covenant, we are instructed to give what is in our hearts to give, as we are able.  That could mean more than a tenth, or less than a tenth.  It is up to each individual to decide what he is to give, and where he is to give it.  We are supposed to be good stewards of all that God has given us.  If we blindly throw what we have to those who will use it for something other than what God would have them do with it, surely they will be held accountable for their misdeeds, but so will we, because it is up to us to look into matters, and always try to do the right thing.   I have no problem supporting a pastor or preacher.  The Bible says that we should.  I have no problem supporting a Church building and it’s programs and staff if they are truly needed to do the work that God has given them to do.  This takes discernment.  We must do our best to be sure that wherever we give our gifts, they are being used for God’s work.  We must not use that as an excuse not to give when there is some need outside of the Church either.  Just because we give in the pew, that doesn’t mean we are not still responsible for our families or our neighbors. 

Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, `Honor your father and mother' and `Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, `Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to `honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: " `These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' " MT 15:3-9

We are not bound by laws and traditions.  We can serve God by listening to the Holy Spirit.

So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. 
RO 7:4-6

Do you see?  We are no longer bound by the written code!  Why do we try to live by it, rather than by the Spirit of God?  The Spirit is who directs us today.  The law that was written in stone, is now written in our hearts. The Bible speaks for itself.  When it comes to giving, it is abundantly clear how we ought to do it according to the teachings of the New Testament; mainly what Christ and the apostles teach us.

I believe Church leaders have an obligation to teach a more excellent way of giving.  Under the Old Covenant, there were blessings and curses for obedience or disobedience to the law, and the law included tithing.  Under the New Covenant, there are no longer curses, but there are blessings, not for tithing, but for giving.  The principle is simple; the more you give, the more God will bless you, not so that you will have more, but so that you will give more. 

When the apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians, he explained to them how to live as Christians.  He never once mentioned tithing, but he did tell them not to be greedy. 

I believe the Church entities; that is those who make up the church in a particular group, (as in denominations) are leaving their lights under a basket.  The world is unable to see that light because for the most part, it is hidden within the confines of the Church structure.  I believe one major reason that the church is divided is because instead of letting their lights shine for all the world to see, they argue about doctrine and religious traditions in front of the world, and preach within the walls of those traditions, while their lights continue to fade. They really are not out there doing the work.  They are preaching to the choir, but the choir is not even responding.  Why are they not responding?  Because they feel like they have already done their duty by giving their tithes week after week, forgetting the needs of their own families and neighbors. The Church could unite if it would do what Christ commands rather than follow its own agenda. It seems that their own traditions are getting in the way of the real work. Christ’s commands are simple, yet in order to understand them, we must first read about them. 

Christ’s burdens are light

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." MT 11:28-30

Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command. JN 14:15

Jesus replied: " `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." MT 22:37-40 (see also Mark 12:30 and luke 10:27).

The apotles teach:

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. RO 13:8-10

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." GAL 5:14

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
GAL 6:2

Understand what Christ and the apostles taught about giving, and you will see that tithing is not something Christians are required to do, but it was something the Israelites were required to do. Tithing has been imposed on Christians as though we were still subject to the old law.  Giving as Christians ought to give is not being taught, for the convenience of the Church structure.  I believe it is because Church leaders do not trust Christians to give as they should.  Or maybe, Church leaders know that Christians would truly give as they should.  If we did, they might not receive exorbitant salaries, expensive cars, or lavish homes.  Maybe they’re afraid they might have to work outside the Church for a living, like the apostle Paul did? (I know this is the exception and not the rule).  Whatever the reason, the Church today, at least any Church I’ve been to, teaches that we are to give ten percent of our income to them so that they can carry on the ministry of preaching the Gospel.  What they fail to teach us is that we are all ministers.  We all have a ministry that we can support in whatever way we choose.  If the Church entity has a specific need, we should support that need if it is legitimate. We should never feel burdened by the Church to give for any cause.  We are free to do whatever we want to do, but we are not free to sin.  We are no longer enslaved by the law, but we are free.  Give not as though you are required to give, but give freely as God has freely given to you. 

The apostles repeatedly speak about God’s great mercy toward us.  They often greet us in their letters with,“Peace and mercy from God.” Mercy should be at the heart of all of our giving.  If it is giving to the Church to carry on the mission of preaching the gospel, it is merciful to try to save the lost.  It is merciful to give a salary to the pastor so that he can carry on his mission without having to worry about the welfare of his family, to equip the saints and save the lost.  It is merciful to help those who cannot help themselves.  This takes discernment because there are those who could help themselves, but have become lazy, and expect something for nothing.  They make it difficult for us to recognize those who are truly in need, but God will show us who they are if we ask Him. 

God desires mercy more than sacrifice.  I have heard it said, “ Give out of your need, not out of your abundance.”  I disagree!  If we give as Christ and the apostles instruct us to give, God will give us an abundance so that we can give more.  We have already read about this principle.  We should give not out of our own need, but out of the needs of others.  God has shown us great mercy, and He always shows us great mercy.  He does this so that we will do the same.  He doesn’t give us just enough to get by, but great mercy is more than we need.  We have enough to share with our neighbors, families, strangers, and yes, even our enemies.  Look at just a small sample of what the Bible says about mercy.

A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly. PR 18:23

The wicked man craves evil; his neighbor gets no mercy from him. PR 21:10

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. MT 5:7

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: `I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." MT 9:12-13

He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread--which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, `I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." MT 12:3-8

"Then the master called the servant in. `You wicked servant,' he said, `I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' MT 18:32-33

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. MT 23:23-24

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. LK 6:36 

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" LK 10:36

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." LK 10:37

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. RO 12:6-8

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. 
GAL 6:12-16

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!  JAS 2:12-13

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. JAS 3:17-18

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. JUDE 1:2

Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. 
JUDE 1:22-23

The heart of giving is mercy. Give with a purpose.  Let your gifts be given in accordance with the Scriptures.  Don’t just throw your money into some cause that you know nothing about, trusting that the people responsible for handling it will be responsible with it.  As good stewards we have the responsibility to see that our gifts are not squandered, but are used to serve the saints, but more importantly, to serve those in real need.  The Bible says that we will all have to give an account of what we did or didn’t do.  Those who misuse what you give them will surely not go un-punished.  But I believe that we cannot blindly give to any cause and expect that we will not also be punished for being foolish when we have the capacity to know where our gifts are going.  And if we know that what we are giving is mostly remaining within the walls of the Church, we are in danger of judgment.

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! JAS 2:12-13

Coming next,  Part 5 explains the how’s and why’s we as Christians are to give.  It proves conclusively that there is a way in which we should give, and tithing isn’t it. 

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